Ad
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Scaffold Inspectors Prosecuted After Roofers Fall

ADVERTISEMENT

The HSE have prosecuted two scaffold Inspectors after a worker fell through a gap between the scaffolding and the building, resulting in serious injuries.

Greater Manchester Magistrates Court heard how on 26th March 2014, the 49-year old roofer was working on a re-roofing project. As he stepped down from the untiled roof onto a fixed scaffold, he fell through a gap between the working platform of the scaffolding and the building. He suffered fracture injuries to his spine and had to wear a back brace for eight weeks.

The HSE say the scaffolding had been signed off as safe for use by Mr Stephen Harper and Mr Garry Arnold. The investigation by the HSE had revealed that they had not carried out the relevant inspections and had falsified the certificates to show that all was safe for use.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said:

“Scaffold Inspectors are relied upon by workers and must be trusted. Falsely completing reports without carrying out a thorough inspection can lead to serious risks being missed and life changing accidents occurring.”

Mr. Stephen Harper of Alkrington, Middleton and Mr. Garry Arnold of Crookes, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and were each sentenced to 170 hours community service and ordered to pay £1,500 costs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest Magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Most Read This Week

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Construction starts slump as housing confidence falters

The UK construction industry is facing renewed decline, according...

Doka tackles extreme Alpine conditions to build Europe’s energy future

Specialist formwork company Doka is playing a crucial role...

Ethiopia church scaffolding collapse kills at least 30

At least 30 people have died and more than...

National Scaffolding Week 2025 launches to celebrate industry’s people and skills

National Scaffolding Week 2025 has officially launched, shining a...

Related Articles

Company fined after worker dies in six-foot scaffold fall

A Lancashire sign-fitting company and its director have been prosecuted after a worker died from head injuries sustained in a fall from scaffolding lacking basic safety protection. Iftikhar Ahmed Mughal, 64, was installing a...
- Advertisements -

Latest Topics

Midland Scaffolding staff go the distance in charity challenge for Poppy

Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS) has raised an impressive £20,000...

AT-PAC names new UK MD as ScaffEx25 showcases national ambitions

After unveiling a wave of new systems at Bauma...

ScaffEx25: An Industry Comes of Age in Manchester

Two days in September that showcased not just where...

NASC and DWP to create 5,000 scaffolding work placements in 2026

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has teamed...
- Advertisement -